Story line:Catering to 21st century audiences, "Man of Steel" is the story that reveals the nativity and self-realization of the Kryptonian caped-crusader, whom for the past 75 years, through comics, television shows and movies, the world knows as Superman.

So very similar to the stories of little Moses and Krishna from the Bible and Mahabharata respectively, Kal-El is born during trying times on the planet Krypton. He is transported to Earth to "protect the survival" of its race.

Down here on Earth, rechristened as Clark, during his stay with his foster parents, farm folk Jonathan and Martha Kent in rural Kansas, he discovers that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this world. And so begins his journeys to learn what his purpose in life is.

Things finally snap into sharper focus when Clark follows news reports of a strange 'anomalous object' unearthed somewhere in the Arctic. Here, he gets connected to his birth father Jor-El (Russell Crowe) who gives him a brief animated history of the rise and fall of Krypton and his purpose of existence.

It is nearly after about 40 minutes of the film time that Clark first exposes the embossed 'S' shaped talisman, which in Kryptonian language means 'embodiment of hope'.

Thumbs up: Henry Cavill, 30, as Kal-El, makes a charming and enthralling 'Man Of Steel'. He is convincing as the gloomy, conflicted Superman coming to terms with his unearthly status. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Cavill's earthly parents deliver a touching performance. Russell Crowe as Jor-El walks through his role. Michael Shannon as Zod the antagonist is in comfortable zone and does not effectively provoke fear.

Presented in a very non-linear fashion, director Zack Snyder along with writer David S. Goyer cleverly and curiously unravels Clark's traits. The wonderful score by Hans Zimmer adds to the film's attention-grabbing luster. Nevertheless, the film is gripping even in its humourless tone and persistently noisy destructive aesthetics. It connects with its audience on the emotional front.

Thumbs down: Henry Cavill is convincing in the movie but unfortunately, the script doesn't give him much substance in terms of speech, but his action does all the talking. The fight scenes, with its shock-and-awe barrage of sci-fi fire and brimstone, in the second half of the film gets weighed down by CGI overkill and thickets of exposition about the Kryptonian codex, making it boring after a while.

The new Superman story needed to lose its red underwear and its accompanying monkeyshines, without becoming an all too serious and depressing guilt ridden drama. It’s a very tricky tightrope, and Man of Steel becomes the best possible Superman movie you’ll get in this day and age.